Ecuador’s Crime Numbers Drop, But Deeper Problems Remain

Official police and government data show Ecuador’s murder rate fell in 2024 after years of sharp increases. Homicides dropped by about 13%, from over 8,200 in 2023 to just over 7,000 this year. The murder rate now stands at 39 per 100,000 people, down from 46 the year before. Still, this is much higher than before 2021, when Ecuador was one of Latin America’s safer countries.

This drop followed tough government action. The president declared an internal conflict against 22 criminal gangs. The military and police took control of streets and prisons in the most violent areas. These measures worked best in coastal cities like Guayaquil and Manta, where murders fell by up to 32%.

Most violence comes from drug gangs fighting over routes and ports. Ecuador sits between Colombia and Peru, the world’s top cocaine producers. In 2024, police seized a record 282 tons of illegal drugs, 29% more than last year. But gangs have also turned to extortion and kidnapping. Reports of extortion passed 10,000, and kidnappings topped 2,000 by September.

The violence hits business hard. Many shops and companies have closed or moved due to threats and attacks. Security costs keep rising, and investors remain cautious. The economy grew less than 1% in 2024, partly because of the crime wave.

Ecuador’s recent gains show that forceful action can cut murders, at least for now. But the country’s deeper problems—organized crime, weak justice, and a struggling economy—still threaten its future. Real progress will depend on more than just police and soldiers. Ecuador needs better jobs, stronger courts, and safer communities to break the cycle of violence.